Tameside

The religious profile of Tameside changed substantially between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, marriage and health.

The population reached nearly 220,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Tameside increased by 3.0%, from about 213,000 to 219,000.

The addition of almost 6,300 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Tameside was home to, on average, 15 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Tameside

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Tameside increased by two years, from 37 to 39 years.

This urban area had a slightly higher average age than the North West and had a similar age to the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 6,000 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by almost 7,000.

About 15% of people in Tameside are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Tameside by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Tameside

The number of people in Tameside that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 26,000 in 2001 to just under 52,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 12% to 24% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across the North West (from 10% to 20%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Tameside that described themselves as Christian decreased from just over 160,000 in 2001 to about 140,000 in 2011 (from 76% to 64%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from about 17,000 to just over 13,000 (from 8.1% to 6.0%).

Just over 9,700 people (2.5%) said they were Muslim, up from just under 5,400 in 2001 (4.4%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Tameside increased by 12 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and Tameside by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Tameside

The percentage of Tameside residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.7% to 4.5% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just over 1 in 16 (6.4%) reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 6.8% in 2001. The percentage of Tameside residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 90% to 89%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 3.7% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Tameside that rented privately increased from 7.3% to 13% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just over one in five (22%) households lived in social housing, compared with 21% in 2001. The percentage of Tameside households that owned their home decreased from 68% to 64%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Tameside increased by 5.9 percentage points

Percentage of households in Tameside, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Tameside

The percentage of single people in Tameside increased from 30% to 35% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just over 4 in 10 (44%) people aged 16 and over said they were married, compared with 49% in 2001. The percentage of adults in Tameside that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 12% to 13%.

The proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 30% in 2001 to 36% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 30% to 35%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was lower than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

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